'Honour' Killings

'Honour' killings are often assumed to be sanctioned by Islam since they occur most commonly in the Middle East and as the perpetrators cite religious justification for their acts. But nowhere in the Koran or Hadith (traditions about the life of Muhammad) is there a scripture or text that legitimises 'honour' killing, and Muslim leaders say it is forbidden

The practice is said to pre-date Islam and Christianity and was born out of tribal culture. 'Honour' killings are carried out by members of the victim's immediate family to cleanse the family 'honour' after a female member brings 'shame' to it.

Critics say there is insufficient legislation in Iraq to punish perpetrators of 'honour' crimes. Article 111 of the Iraqi Penal Code - passed in 1969 - tolerated such killings if the defendant had 'honourable motives'. The law was amended in 2002 to allow 'honour' killings to be treated in the same way as murder

Critics say that cases are often not investigated, or any sentence is light and commuted if the defendant has no criminal background.

'Honour' crimes in Iraq have risen sharply since the 2003 invasion as the Iraqi state disintegrated and people became more reliant on conservative tribal authorities to settle disputes and mete out justice.

In a BBC poll one in 10 young British Asians believed that 'honour' killings could be justified.